Best seen up close to appreciate them, these small yellow flowers festoon the signature plant of the Chihuahuan Desert, Larrea tridentata. Carter (1997) notes that "Chaparral is the most common name for Larrea tridentata when referred to as a medicinal plant." It's also commonly known as creosote bush. Native Americans in the southwest used it for a "tea, tincture or salve to slow the rate of bacterial growth" (Carter, 1997). A more extensive description of the medicinal uses (and some strong cautionary words, are found in Tilford (1997). Note the small, leathery leaves. Photographed at Oliver Lee State Park, 2 April 2006.
